Nashua teacher keeps her classroom on cutting edge

By BENJAMIN C. KLEINUnion Leader Correspondent

NASHUA - Lisa Anderson, a fourth-grade teacher at Dr. Norman W. Crisp Elementary School has been named a STAR Discovery Educator by Discovery Education due to her never-ending goal to find and integrate new technologies into her classroom for the benefit of her students.

Anderson, who applied to join the program months ago, said she is always looking for new ways to integrate technology into her classroom.

"It's great," Anderson said of being named a Discovery STAR, "but I just wanted more information, and they provide great webinars where they teach us how to provide technology to other students. It is very important to me, and it is the way of the future."

Janie Lyons, communications coordinator for Discovery Communications, said: "The Discovery Educator Network is a global community of educators passionate about teaching with digital media, sharing resources, collaborating and networking. As a STAR Discovery Educator, Lisa has proven herself as a leader in transforming and enhancing learning in Nashua School District classrooms,"

Anderson said it is expected that she continue to work to educate her colleagues, and help and mentor them while they integrate technologies, something she said comes natural to her.

"Discovery Education and the (Discovery Educator Network) are proud to honor the hard work and dedication of Lisa," said Lance Rougeux, vice president of learning communities and instructional implementation for Discovery Education. "It is the work of passionate and committed educators like her who are engaging students through the use of digital media and technology that is making a difference across the country."

Anderson said she is using a number of different websites in her classroom that allow students to get instantaneous feedback. The sites also allow Anderson to track the students' progress.

With the state preparing to adopt the Common Core Standards, which dictate that new technologies should be constantly integrated into classrooms, Anderson said she is working hard to implement as much new technology into her classroom as she can.

"That's the way it should be," she said, "We have to keep up with the students to keep them interested and excited about learning."

Anderson said that being a member of the Discovery Educator Network will give her access to a plethora of interactive and engaging technological tools designed to engage and educate.

"We are trying to start them off at a younger age so they are with the times and the new kinds of testing that are coming out. I am trying to prepare them get them more savvy with electronics so they can easily maneuver through the process in the future," Anderson said.

Discovery Education is a division of Discovery Communications, whose cable television networks include Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and SCIENCE.

For more information about Discovery Education and the Discovery Educator Network, visit www.discoveryeducation.com.